A Perfect Age - Part 3
Author: Ava
E-mail: mmmThatAJ@yahoo.comRating: PG-13
Classification: Romance, as alwaysDisclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others.
Summary: How old is "too old"? When is a man "robbing the cradle"? Doesn't it really depend on how the couple feel about each other and not the difference in their ages? Tracy and Mac both think so, and they convince Tom and AJ.
Author's comments: Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').
Wednesday, 29 January 2003
1255 EST
The Pentagon
Washington, DCTom finally buzzed his yeoman. Christa grabbed the receiver, "Yes, Sir?"
"I'm getting ready to head out for lunch, Christa. Any calls I need to return before I go?" he asked brusquely.
"No, Sir," she replied. "But Lieutenant Commander Manetti..."
"Good. Then I'll be back in an hour," he interrupted. He did not want to hear that Tracy had called again. He had to get his feelings under control before he could talk to her again. 'How did I let myself get so involved so fast? I haven't done this in... hell, 30 years!' He snapped off the intercom before Christa could reply. Tom grabbed his coat and cover and opened his door. He started to walk past Christa's desk when he noticed someone jump to her feet. His jaw fell open in shock. "Tracy?" his voice rose almost an octave.
She smiled. "Hello, Tom," she whispered, stepping forward.
"What are you doing here?" he choked out.
"I was hoping you'd be free for lunch," she purred.
"But... you're..." Tom shook his head. "You're in Yuma!"
Tracy giggled. "I was in Yuma. Commander Turner and I finished up last night around midnight. And a transport just happened to arrive about that time... and they were leaving again at 0200. Lucky me! Sturgis knew I really wanted to get home, so... he agreed and secured us seats. We packed our stuff lickety-split and hopped on board. Good thing, too, because they needed our rooms for the guys who came in on the transport." Tom's face was still showing disbelief. "I tried to call you when we landed, but Christa said you were busy. So I just showed up and waited... hoping you'd free up at some point," she smiled. "I thought maybe we could have lunch together. Admiral Chegwidden gave me the day off," she hinted.
"How long have you been here?" he asked hoarsely, knowing that if she was here now, she couldn't possibly have been in Yuma at 0730.
"Only since 1055."
"Two hours?" he replied incredulously. He turned to Christa. "Why didn't you let me know she was here?" he barked.
Christa stood immediately and came to attention stance at the tenor of his voice. "Sir, you requested that you not be disturbed..." she began.
Tracy interrupted, "And when she told me that, I wouldn't let her disturb you."
Tom turned back to Tracy. He took her hand and pulled her into his office, kicking the door closed behind him. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. "Oh, Tracy," he breathed. "God, what I thought... I'm so sorry..."
Tracy looked up, confused. "What do you mean? What did you think? I don't..."
Tom released her and walked over to his window, staring outside. He sighed, "I kept calling last night and never could reach you."
"I'm sorry about that, Tom... we got so involved in the case..." Tracy started.
"No... no... you were working. Never apologize about that... not to me," he told her. Then he continued. "I called again this morning at 0730... 0530 out there." He looked her in the eyes then. "A man answered. I hung up." Tracy saw the look of hurt... and was that jealousy?... in his eyes. "I jumped to a conclusion, Tracy..."
She smiled, walking up to him and sliding her hands up his chest. "You thought he was with me... in bed?" Tom nodded. "Oh, Tom," she purred, pulling his head down to her level and giving him an Eskimo kiss with her nose, rubbing it back and forth over his. "No," she breathed. "There's been no one I've even remotely been interested in... in so long... years, really. Until you." He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her soundly.
"Forgive me?" he asked huskily.
She smiled as tears welled in her eyes. A man asking her forgiveness? Oh, this one is a keeper, all right! She nodded, "Of course."
He kissed her again, with more passion than he'd ever put into a kiss before. When they parted lips, he reached over and pressed the Intercom button. Christa answered, "Yes, Sir?"
"Cancel my afternoon, Petty Officer. I won't be back after lunch... and I won't be answering the phone."
"Very good, Sir." Christa disconnected the line and smiled to herself, "Very good, indeed!"
Wednesday, 29 January 2003
1345 EST
Boone Residence
Vienna, VirginiaThey left Tracy's rental car in the Pentagon lot but did take the time to grab her bag from the trunk. They rode together in Tom's car to his house. He pulled into the driveway, picked up her bag from his back seat, and they went inside. "Nice place," Tracy commented, this being her first visit to his home.
"Thanks. It's comfortable," Tom said, setting her bag on the floor. He turned around and found that Tracy was standing just inside the front door. "Did you call your parents? Do they know you're back in town?" he asked, taking a step toward her.
She grinned and shook her head. "I haven't called them." She took a step of her own toward him.
"Then your father isn't apt to come banging on the door?" He took another step toward her.
"Nor any of my brothers," she added, they were closing the distance slowly. "My godfather? Now he's a different animal all together."
"Your godfather? And just who is that?" Tom asked, finally reaching her and pulling her into his arms.
"Your boss," she almost whispered, looking up into his face.
"My boss?" he choked out, his face showing his shock. "Sheffield?!"
Tracy nodded. "Uh huh."
"Good thing I'm retiring soon!" Tom quipped, lowering his mouth to hers. Tracy slipped her arms around Tom's neck and opened her mouth to him. Tom lifted his head slightly, "Care to move this to the bedroom?"
Tracy's smile was brilliant. "Oh, definitely," she purred.
Some time later, Tracy's cell phone began to ring; they could hear it in the bedroom even though it was in her purse in the living room. "Ignore it," she insisted.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "It might be your godfather!" he teased.
They ignored Tracy's ringing cell phone... and then Tom's cell phone... and then Tom's home phone. Tracy thought to herself, 'He was right. It has to be Uncle Edward!'
Thursday, 30 January 2003
0605 EST
Boone Residence
Vienna, VirginiaThey spent the entire afternoon... and evening... and night... in bed. Tracy awoke feeling something hard pressing against her backside. Realizing it was Tom, she purred and scooted back into Tom's chest as best she could. "Someone's finally awake, I see," he teased.
She turned her head and he leaned over to kiss her nose. "Mmm, I like waking up like this," she whispered.
"We need to get up, I'm afraid. I took your uniform out of your duffle and hung it up last night, so you're okay there, but your rental car is at the Pentagon. So, we'll need to leave early enough for you to drive back over to JAG from there. Unless you want me to just..."
Tracy shook her head, "No, no. That's fine." She snuggled down under the covers and turned to face her lover. "I guess I'll have to spend the weekend looking for a new car."
"We can do it together, if you'd like," he offered.
"Mmm, I like. Any time I can spend with you... I like."
Tom kissed her on the forehead. "I was right, you know."
"You were right about what, Tom?" she asked, confused.
"I checked my messages when I got up last time. It was your godfather calling. He left me several rather... annoyed... messages," Tom grinned. "Wanted to know where you were and why you weren't answering your phone. Demanded that I have you call him immediately."
She smiled, "He'll get used to the idea. Eventually."
Tom captured Tracy's mouth in his and ran his tongue along the seam. When she wouldn't open her mouth, he pulled back slightly and said, "Something wrong?"
She blushed. "I need to brush my teeth."
Tom roared with laughter. "Tracy! After all we've shared, I think I can handle 'morning breath'." Her eyes twinkled and she pulled his face back to hers, opening her mouth and burying her tongue inside of his mouth. "Wow!" he breathed when they parted. "You really do have 'morning breath'!" he teased.
"I warned you!" she giggled. "Mama says I have the worst breath of anybody in the morning."
"Well, come on; let's get moving so you're not late to the office. I don't want AJ telling me that I'm a bad influence on you," he chuckled.
Thursday, 30 January 2003
0825 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VirginiaAJ shook his head as Sturgis and Tracy left his office after their briefing with him about the case in Yuma. He picked up the phone and dialed Mac's office.
"Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie," her voice sounded over the wire.
"Mac, I need you to do me a favor," AJ said without preamble.
"Admiral?"
"Commander Manetti needs a little..." he hesitated, "help... with makeup this morning. If you'd be so good as to seek her out and take care of it, please?"
"Makeup, Sir?" Mac repeated.
"You'll know what I mean when you see her," AJ replied cryptically.
"Of course, Admiral. I'll go find her right now." Mac couldn't imagine why the Admiral was asking her to help Tracy with her makeup. 'I wonder what's wrong?'
"I believe she and Sturgis were headed for the break room," AJ suggested.
"Thank you, Sir," Mac replied.
"No. Thank you, Mac."
Sturgis and Tracy were indeed in the break room filling their mugs with fresh hot coffee. "So, Tracy, what'd you do with your day off?" Sturgis asked.
"Spent the day with a friend," she replied carefully.
"From the mark on your neck, I'd say you were with a good friend," chuckled Harm. He had joined them en route and was now pouring his own mug full of the steamy liquid. Tracy blushed; she thought she'd covered the hickey so it wasn't noticeable. Harm added, "A very good friend."
Tracy started to sputter an explanation, when Sturgis said, "Tracy, you didn't have that mark there yesterday when we got off the plane. What happened?" he decided to tease her a little, too. They had joked quite a bit with each other in Yuma, and he'd decided he liked the young woman. She was smart, quick, and fun. But from appearances this morning, not all that quick when it came to sexual innuendo.
Mac walked in, hearing the two men teasing Tracy. 'Uh oh. Sounds like a hickey,' Mac thought to herself. And when Tracy turned around at Mac's "Good morning, everyone!", Mac knew she was right. She poured herself a cup and then said, "Tracy, I wonder if you'd help me with something?"
Tracy was happy to get away from the men, "I'll be delighted to, Colonel."
Mac turned to face the men and shook her index finger at them, silently admonishing them for teasing Tracy. The two women headed back to Mac's office. "I just need to grab my purse, then let's go to the ladies' room," Mac told Tracy.
Once inside the confines of the ladies' bathroom, Mac quipped, "Looks like somebody had some fun yesterday on her day off!"
Tracy blushed. "Tom took the afternoon off, and we... well..."
Mac giggled. "That's obvious, Dearie," Mac informed her, pointing at the spot on her neck. "Want me to help you cover that a little better?" she offered, knowing that Tracy wouldn't refuse.
"Would you? I've never had to cover anything like that before... never had spots or blemishes growing up, and I just never..." Tracy rambled.
Mac opened her purse and pulled out her cosmetic bag. She found the concealer she wanted to use and dabbed it lightly on Tracy's neck. "Not a problem, Tracy. I've had lots of experience covering things on my face and neck," said Mac.
"Lots? Why, lots?" the younger woman asked as Mac smoothed the cream.
"Mostly bruises, actually," Mac said. "My father was abusive," she told her quietly. "So was my husband."
"Oh, Mac, I'm sorry. I didn't know," Tracy said gently.
Mac smiled, adding another layer of concealer. "Don't worry about it. I think you're probably the only one in the office who didn't know. It comes up every now and again. You'd have found out another way, if not this."
"Thank you so much for doing this," Tracy said. "You're putting several light coats on, aren't you?"
Mac nodded, "Yep. Now this shade isn't just right for you; our skin is a bit different. But it's close enough." Mac dabbed and smoothed another coat. "So, did you two stay in bed all day?" Mac grinned.
Tracy giggled. "Not all day... we were up long enough for me to make spaghetti for supper. Of course, by the time we ate it, it was almost cold!" Mac giggled with her. "And then we had some wine and cheese around midnight."
"Had to keep your strength up, hmm?" Mac offered.
Tracy laughed outright, "That's exactly what Tom said!"
"So, when did he give you the hickey?"
"In the shower this morning," Tracy answered, almost shyly.
The hickey completely covered now, they headed back to the bullpen. AJ, Harm, Sturgis, and Bud were gathered around the water cooler as the women walked in. Looking right at Tracy's neck, Bud said, "Sirs, I don't see a hickey." Tracy's face had finally lost its redness, only to be completely suffused again instantly at Bud's comment.
Harm and Sturgis cleared their throats and looked away, while AJ looked straight into Tracy's eyes and then Mac's. He grinned at both of them, winking at Tracy. He nodded his thanks to Mac and headed back toward his office.
"Good job, Mac," Harm quipped.
"Drop it, Gentlemen," Mac warned.
AJ stopped just before entering his office and barked, "Back to work, people!"
Mac heard her phone ring a moment later and rushed to pick it up. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie!"
"Thank you, Mac. You did a great job," AJ said.
Mac smiled into the receiver. "They had a very nice day... and night... and morning, Sir," Mac told him.
"That was obvious. I've never seen her so happy... she's actually glowing," AJ observed.
"You're right, Admiral. She is."
"Mac, I hope you don't mind that I asked you to..." AJ started, but Mac interrupted him.
"Oh, no, Sir! Not at all! I was happy to help," Mac insisted.
"I remember how well you fixed up Mikey Roberts just before Bud & Harriett's wedding. So I figured you'd know how to deal with a hickey," he explained.
Mac chuckled. "Oh, that was a pretty big shiner, wasn't it?" she remembered.
"That it was," AJ recalled. "Well... thanks, again, Mac."
Friday, 31 January 2003
2155 EST
Caribbean Grill
Arlington, VirginiaAJ sat at the head of the long table, watching his people as they talked freely with each other. He was amazed that so many people had shown up tonight. 'Don't know why it surprised me, though,' he thought to himself. 'She's very well liked and highly thought of by everyone at JAG.'
AJ rose to his feet, a signal for the others to quiet down. Others had made toasts all evening to Mac. They had raised their wine glasses and drunk toast after toast. Each one, something special to Mac. But AJ hadn't made a toast... not yet. Now was the time.
AJ picked up his water glass and began to speak. "We're gathered here this evening to wish Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie well in her new position at the Pentagon. We're not here to say goodbye to her." He grinned and looked down at her, sitting immediately to his right. "I expect we'll still see quite a lot of the good Colonel. The SecNav will see to that!" he joked as the others laughed. AJ raised his glass. "Please join me by raising your water glass," he was very specific in this. Mac did not drink. He did not want to toast her with alcohol. He watched as everyone set their wine goblet back on the table in favor of their water glass. Then he continued, "...in a toast to Sarah MacKenzie. Outstanding lawyer. Loyal compatriot. And faithful friend." He looked at Mac and smiled, "To Mac!"
The others around the table lifted their water glasses and cheered, "To Mac!"
They all took a sip of their water... everyone, that is, except AJ. He drained his almost-full glass and then, looking directly at Mac, he turned his glass upside down and set it on the table... thus ending any and all toasts. Mac's lips parted as she gazed back into AJ's eyes. How she wanted to stand up right then and throw her arms around his neck and kiss him for all she was worth. But she couldn't. And she wouldn't. So she spoke instead. "That was lovely, Admiral. Thank you," her voice was barely above a whisper. "Thank you so much." Then she turned to the others at the large table and spoke a bit louder, "Thank you all... very much. This has been a... a truly memorable night."
The crowd began to disperse, each one coming up and wishing Mac well in her new position before leaving the restaurant. When it was only the JAG Ops officers left, they made their way outside to the parking lot together. "So, Mac. What are your plans for the weekend?" asked Harm.
"I don't really have any, Harm," she replied.
Sturgis piped up. "Maybe you could help Tracy look for a new car," he suggested.
Tracy replied quickly, "That would be nice, but it really isn't necessary." She turned to face Mac. "Tom is taking me car shopping tomorrow and Sunday."
Mac laughed, "Well, I certainly don't want to intrude on that!" Tracy blushed.
Harm chuckled, "Tracy, I never knew that about you... how easy you are to embarrass. Hell, you didn't blush like that when I walked in on you in a towel!"
Tracy's eyes widened at his outburst and everyone else gasped. "In a towel, Harm? When did you walk in on her in a towel?" dared Mac.
He looked back and forth from Tracy to Mac and knew he was in trouble. Tracy obviously hadn't said anything to anyone about that. He hadn't meant to... it just slipped out. He looked apologetically at Tracy and explained, "It was when we were in Italy, Mac... last November. Tracy's room wasn't ready yet, so they gave her a key to mine so she could shower and change clothes. I got back a little early, didn't know she was there, and she walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel." Tracy bit her lips together. "She was completely covered, Mac," Harm assured her.
"And I assume you did turn around and walk out immediately, Commander?" asked AJ.
"Yes, Sir, he did," Tracy said quickly. Harm turned surprised, but relieved eyes to her and smiled. He hadn't turned around immediately and she knew it.
Harriett shivered in the cold and her teeth began chattering, so Bud insisted that they leave. They said their goodbyes to everyone, and Harriett hugged Mac. "We'll see you soon, Ma'am."
As Harm, Sturgis, and Tracy were saying their goodbyes to Bud and Harriett, AJ spoke to Mac. "I was surprised you chose this place for your farewell dinner, Mac. I'd have expected you to choose a steakhouse," he chuckled. "Come to think of it, don't I remember hearing you say that you didn't even like this place?"
Mac grinned. "I didn't choose it. Harm did."
"What?!"
Mac chuckled, "I would have chosen Lonestar Steakhouse or The View Steakhouse... or Morton's," she added dreamily. "But he didn't ask me. He just picked the Grill."
AJ shook his head. "You should have had the choice, Mac. It was your dinner."
"You know how he is about meat, Sir," Mac excused her friend. "Admiral," she began. "I did want to thank you again for that last toast. It was very special to me."
AJ gazed into her eyes. "You are very special to me," he said for her ears only. Mac's breath caught in her throat and she felt as if she would suffocate... but do so in sublime happiness. He smiled at the look on her face. 'Maybe... just maybe...' he thought. "Mac, since you didn't get to choose tonight, would you care to..."
"Mac! You ready to leave?" Harm interrupted, calling to her as he approached them. Mac could have screamed. She hoped that AJ would continue speaking, but he didn't. His face clouded over and his smile disappeared as Harm walked up and put his arm around Mac's shoulders. "You ready to leave?" Harm repeated.
AJ spoke first, "Well, good night, all." And he walked away.
"Mac?" Harm spoke again.
"All right, all ready!" she snapped. "Let's go!"
Sunday, 2 February 2003
1605 EST
Kline Tysons Toyota
Vienna, VirginiaTom and Tracy sat in the salesman's office. "But Tom, if I buy the Subaru Legacy from Stohlman, I can save $3000. Why would I want to spend an extra $3 grand?" she asked, giving her best imitation of a "dumb broad".
"Tracy, you're not really saving $3,000, Honey. You'd be spending it on the extras that you want, remember?" Tom tried to explain. He was amazed at how well Tracy was playing her role... and that the salesman was buying it!
"No, no! The salesman at Stohlman said that he'd throw in an electric moonroof and a GPS so I won't get lost anymore. AND it's only 0.9 percent financing right now, too!" she insisted.
"Tracy, the GPS is a computer. You know you don't like computers; you'd never use the GPS. And it doesn't matter what the financing is. You're paying cash for the car," he told her for the fifth time in the last hour.
The salesman finally interrupted and said, "I tell you what, how about if I can get you in a Camry for $20 grand? Would that be what you'd like?"
Tracy turned her attention to him. "Oh, that would be lovely! I want that little red XLE out there."
"I was thinking more of the blue LE," he corrected.
"Oh, no! I don't want a blue car. It has to be that little red one," she insisted.
The salesman looked at Tom for help. Tom just shrugged his shoulders, "Buddy, if you think you can convince her to get a blue car, go for it!"
The salesman sighed in frustration. "Okay. The red XLE. Let's say $21,998."
Tracy shook her head. "Nope. You said $20 grand. That's $20,000."
The salesman shook his head. "Can't do it."
Tracy stood up. "Come on, Tom. Let's go down the Pike to Stohlman and buy the little red Subaru. I like that one better anyway. It has a bigger makeup mirror on the visor."
Tom stood up and followed Tracy out of the man's office. "Wait!" the man called. Thirty minutes later, Tracy had a signed contract for a brand-new red Toyota Camry XLE. "You can pick it up tomorrow after 4:30. They'll have cleaned it up for you and it'll be ready to go."
"Wonderful! Thank you so much!" Tracy gushed. "We'll be here first thing in the morning."
"4:30 in the afternoon," the man clarified as Tom grinned and Tracy pouted.
The men shook hands, and Tom and Tracy got in his Saab and headed for her apartment. "Now what's he going to think when you show up tomorrow in your uniform?" Tom teased.
Tracy giggled. "Maybe he won't recognize the JAG mill rind..."
"How did you ever come up with the idea to play stupid when you're buying a car?" Tom asked.
"Oh, that's what some of the girls in college used to do. They'd drag their boyfriend or their brother or their father... or just one of the guys from school... with them to the dealership. Car salesmen always treat women like we don't know squat about cars or financial stuff... so, we play them to get a good deal."
"Well, Tracy, you did get a pretty good deal," Tom told her.
"Yeah, I did," she grinned. "And Toyota dealerships are known for not dealing on Camrys. They don't think they have to."
"I think you threw this guy for a loop!"
She laughed. "Good! Serves him right!!"
Monday, 3 February 2003
0935 EST
The Pentagon
Washington, DCAJ's meeting with the SecNav came to an early conclusion when the President's office called and wanted Sheffield in the Oval Office right away. So now, AJ could head over to his own office at JAG... or he could stop in and welcome Mac to her new office here at the Pentagon. He decided on the latter. He asked Sheffield's secretary to point him in the direction of Colonel MacKenzie's office, and now he was standing just outside of her door.
Mac's door was pulled to, but not quite closed. He could hear her talking inside and wondered if he should perhaps come back another time... she must have someone in there with her. But when he heard her say, "No!" quite loudly, he listened. All he heard was her voice. "Odd," he thought... until he heard what she was saying.
"No!" Mac told herself. "You will not cry! You're a Marine, and you go where you're told. You do what you're told. It's not a big deal. You've done it time and again in the past. You'll do it many more times in the future. So snap out of it!" She didn't hear anyone step inside her office... nor the door latch as it closed tightly. She was unpacking her personal belongings and placing them around the room. "What's so different about this assignment, anyway? Nothing! So you drive to the Pentagon every day instead of to JAG. What of it? The Pentagon's closer to home! Be glad for it!" Her words were stronger now, and she was convincing herself... until... "So you work for a mealy-mouthed Secretary instead of an Admiral... a strong, dedicated, handsome... virile... sexy..."
AJ was stunned. 'She thinks that of me? Oh, Sarah...' he gulped. "Mac?" he almost whispered.
Mac whirled around to find AJ standing just behind her. "Admiral! Sir!" She blushed like a peony when she realized she'd been speaking aloud... and he'd obviously heard her. "Admiral, I apologize... I didn't... I didn't hear you..." she stammered.
AJ furrowed his brow and said, "Mac... Do you really... What you said just now... Was that about..." He faltered. "No, don't answer that."
"Answer what, Sir?" she tried to smile.
He nodded. "Thank you, Colonel. Probably best that way," he said quietly. AJ stepped around her desk and looked out the window. "Nice view of the parking lot," he joked.
"Yes," she whispered. She wasn't talking about the parking lot. 'Does he know that?' she wondered.
He turned around and glanced briefly around her office. "I see you're getting settled in. That's good."
Mac nodded, "Yes." She wasn't talking about getting settled in. Mac bit her lips together and willed the tears not to well in her eyes.
AJ spoke again. "I had a meeting with our boss this morning... got preempted by the President. So I thought I'd stop in and see how you're doing."
"The answer is yes," she whispered. 'He has to know it now. There's no mistaking it. Oh, God, please... let him want me... let him say something...'
AJ looked deeply into Mac's eyes. He smiled his appreciation at her words, but he didn't address them. He swallowed hard before walking toward the door. "Well, I won't keep you, Colonel. I just wanted to say hello." AJ put his hand on the doorknob. It was all he could do not to pull her into his arms and kiss the very life out of her. But he didn't. It wouldn't be appropriate. It wouldn't be what she wanted. 'She's just having a little trouble adjusting, that's all,' he told himself.
"Stop by any time, Sir. Every time. Don't forget about me." AJ opened the door and said goodbye. But before he got a foot away, he heard Mac's soft but urgent plea, "Pleeease, don't forget about me."
AJ stepped back into her office and kicked the door shut. He walked up to her and saw her eyes filled with tears. He folded her into his embrace, not allowing himself to react at her nearness. "Forget about you? Not in this lifetime, Mac." Mac smiled up at him through her watery eyes and AJ felt his heart stir. He raised his hand to her cheek and wiped her eyes with his thumb. 'I can't. It's too soon. She and Rabb will get together now. Rabb wants it, no matter what she thinks.' But as he gazed into Mac's chocolate eyes, he found himself thinking, 'He had his chance, and he blew it. Now it's my turn.' He gently kissed Mac on the forehead and said, "Since you didn't get to have steak the other night, would you like to join me at Morton's this evening, Sarah?"
Mac thought she would melt right there in his arms when he pressed his lips to her forehead. And then his invitation! She smiled brightly and lost herself in his dark eyes. She loved hearing him call her "Sarah". He'd didn't very often. Mac finally found her voice, "I'd be delighted to. Thank you, Admiral."
"It's AJ," he said, running his index finger down the length of her nose. "I'll pick you up at 1830?" he suggested.
"Perfect," she breathed.
As he walked out, he heard her start to hum. 'What is that song?' he wondered yet again.
Monday, 3 February 2003
1658 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VirginiaTiner knocked on his CO's door. "Enter!" AJ bellowed from inside.
Tiner opened the door and said, "Excuse me, Admiral. You mentioned wanting to leave today at 1700." AJ looked up at his yeoman. Surely nothing was going to delay his departure. "It's 2 minutes 'til, Sir. I just thought I'd remind you, in case the time had slipped up on you, Sir."
As Tiner watched his CO, he knew that the time had not slipped up on him. AJ stood and closed the lid on his briefcase. He pressed the button on his computer monitor to power it off; he'd obviously already shutdown the computer itself. "Thanks, Tiner. But I'm 2 steps ahead of you."
AJ grabbed his overcoat and shrugged into it. He picked up his cover and briefcase and headed out. Just as he reached the outer doors of the bullpen, Harm saw him leaving. "Admiral!" he called. AJ stopped and turned around, not saying anything. "You're leaving, Sir?"
"Appears that way," AJ replied. He nodded to the Marine guard standing by the elevator, and the guard pressed the Call button.
Harm stuttered, "Uhhh, yes, Sir. I... uh... I thought you wanted to see the Clydeson report before you left, Sir?"
AJ nodded. "That I did, Commander. And I told you I was leaving at 1700. It's that now." He heard the elevator bell announce the car's arrival.
"I have the report finished now, Sir," Harm continued. "If you'd like me to go over it with you..."
"It'll have to wait until tomorrow, Commander. I said I was leaving at 1700. And I am. Good night." AJ walked through the doors and onto the waiting elevator.
Harm turned around and saw Tiner grinning. "Tiner! Where's he going?" Harm asked.
"I believe he has a date, Sir," Tiner replied.
"A date? He and Meredith got back together?" Harm asked. "Oh terrific..." he mumbled. "She's going to want to start those flying lessons again..."
"No, Sir. I don't believe it's Ms. Cavanaugh. I think it's someone new. He asked for the address of a florist earlier. And he made reservations for dinner. And..."
"But why do you think it's someone new and not Meredith?" Harm pressed.
"Just a feeling, Sir. The Admiral always says, 'I'm taking Meredith to such-and-such a place...' when it's her so I know how to reach him. He didn't this time," Tiner explained. "He said, 'Call me on my cell if there's a national emergency'."
Harm went into his office and dialed Mac's new office. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie!" he heard her voice over the wire.
"Hey, Mac. It's Harm. How'd your first day over there go?" he asked.
Mac sighed to herself. She was now 5 minutes late leaving the office. She had promised herself that she would get out of there at exactly 1700 today. She wanted to take a nice warm shower and primp a little... okay, a lot... before her date with AJ. "It went just fine, Harm. I have all my stuff unpacked and I'm settled in."
"That's good. I wanted to run by there earlier, but I got tied up with..."
"It's okay, Harm. I was pretty much tied up in meetings all afternoon, anyway," she told him.
"So, how about dinner tonight?" he asked.
"Not tonight, Harm. But thanks."
"You sure? We could get a pizza or Chinese... or even seafood. What do you say?" Harm pressed.
She smiled to herself. 'As much as I love meat, you'd think every once in a while he'd suggest a restaurant where I could get a steak... and he could get a salad or some such. But no...' She said, "Not tonight, Harm. Look, I really have to go. We'll talk later, okay?"
"Yeah, sure, Mac. 'Bye." Harm hung up his phone and looked up to see Admiral Boone walk in the bullpen. He stepped out of his office and said, "Admiral! Good to see you again, Sir!"
Tom glanced at Tracy's office and, seeing her on the phone, turned to face Harm. "Hello, Commander."
"What brings you to JAG, Sir? Admiral Chegwidden is already gone for the day," Harm informed him.
Tom nodded, "Yes, I passed him going out as I was coming in. He was in a bit of a hurry."
Harm grinned. "Tiner says he has a date this evening."
Tom looked wary, "Not that Cavanaugh woman again?"
Harm shook his head. "Don't think so, Sir. Tiner thinks this is someone new."
Tom nodded, "Aah... that would explain it." He wondered if it might be Mac. "I'm here to collect Tracy. We're going to go pick up her new car."
Harm nodded toward Tracy's office. "So, how's it going?" he grinned.
Tom smiled... a truly genuine smile... something Harm had never seen on this man's face before. "Very well, Harm. Very well, indeed. Tracy is... someone very special," he nodded.
"No more special than you are, Tom," whispered Tracy, having slipped beside him without his knowledge.
"You ready to leave?" he asked, leaning over and pressing a kiss on her cheek. She nodded. "Let's go. I can't wait to see that salesman's face when he sees you in that uniform."
"And you in yours!" Tracy giggled as they headed for the door, completely forgetting about Harm.
"I'm not the one who acted like a total ditz yesterday, Sweetheart," he reminded her.
As the doors closed behind them, Harm said, "Well... goodbye. Have a good evening. You, too, Harm." He shook his head and turned around to find Bud and Harriett all but laughing at him. "Don't you two start," he said.
Harriett did laugh then. Bud said, "Sorry, Sir. It's just that... people don't usually forget about you. But those two... they're off in their own little world."
"Kinda familiar, hmm, Bud?" purred Harriett.
He looked at his wife. "Yeah." He put his arm around her shoulders and they headed for the door. Just as Bud put his hand on the door to push it open, he turned around. "Good night, Commander," he grinned.
Harm chuckled. "Go on! Get out of here!" he waved at them to leave.
Monday, 3 February 2003
1745 EST
Kline Tysons Toyota
Vienna, VirginiaTom and Tracy stepped out of his Saab and walked into the dealership. A salesman approached them immediately, "Name's Pete. Can I help you folks?" Then looking at Tom's stars, he added, "Say, you're an Admiral, aren't you?"
Tom nodded. "That's right. We're here to pick up a new car for Tracy Manetti. Our salesman yesterday was Bill Bright."
"I'll call him for you. Be just a minute." Pete picked up a phone and dialed a number. When he heard Bill's voice on the line, he said, "Bill, you have a couple of folks here picking up a car... said you sold it to the young woman yesterday. Looks like her father is with her."
Tom and Tracy heard the comment, and Tracy blushed. Tom just shook his head and grinned at her, whispering, "Don't let it bother you, Honey." She slipped her tiny hand in his larger one, about all they could get away with while they were both in uniform.
"Manetti?" Bill asked.
"That's right," Pete confirmed.
"Oh, man... that's the bimbo I told you about this morning. And that's not her father. God, I wonder how that guy puts up with her. She must be mighty good in bed. I don't think I could stand someone as dense as that broad."
Pete looked over at Tracy. "You must be thinking of the wrong sale, Bill. These two are Navy. He's an Admiral. And she's... I don't know... something... but definitely Navy... and a lot younger than him."
"I'll be right out," Bill said, knowing that the only sale he'd made yesterday was to the "dumb broad," as he nicknamed Tracy.
Pete smiled at Tracy. "He'll be right out."
She flashed one of her loveliest smiles and said, "Thank you so much."
Bill walked out then and recognized Tom immediately. "Good afternoon, folks. Your car is..." Tracy turned around and faced him. Bill's jaw dropped open and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You're... you're..."
Tracy smiled as Tom said, "Good afternoon, Bill. Tracy's car ready?" Bill nodded, still staring at Tracy. "Close your mouth, Son," Tom advised.
Bill snapped his jaw shut in embarrassment. "You're a Lieutenant Commander!" he accused. "And that's... that's a mill rind! You're JAG! You're a lawyer??" he asked incredulously.
Tracy nodded and spoke in her normal voice, "That's correct, Bill. I'm impressed that you recognize Naval ranks. Were you in the Navy?"
He blinked hard and shook his head. "My dad was. He was a Master Chief Petty Officer when he retired. Made all of us kids learn the insignias."
"Can't do without those Master Chiefs," she replied, then she changed the subject back to her car. "Is the Camry ready for me?"
"Yes, Ma'am. It's right out front."
The threesome walked outside and looked over the car. Satisfied, Tracy got behind the wheel and Tom returned to his own car. She pulled up next to him and they rolled the windows down. "Who's following whom?" she asked.
"How about you follow me?" Tom suggested.
"I'll follow you anywhere," she grinned. "Hey, where did we decide to eat?"
"We didn't. How about Morton's? It's just up the road."
Monday, 3 February 2003
1830 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DCAJ rang the doorbell at exactly 1830. He knew Mac was never late and was very exact in her timing, so he didn't want to be late... or early. She opened the door almost before he took his hand from the doorbell. "That was fast," he teased.
"You've been standing out there for 3 minutes and 7 seconds. I was afraid you were changing your mind," Mac said quietly.
"I didn't want to rush you," AJ told her.
She smiled. "You didn't. You're right on time. Exactly."
"You look wonderful," he said softly. She wore a mid-calf-length royal blue dress with a high neck. The 3/4-length sleeves ended in the newly revived flared peasant look. Not her typical style; AJ was used to seeing Mac in very low-cut dresses... front or back... or both! But this dress was high in the front and the back. 'Of course it is! I'll bet she doesn't even consider this a date, you idiot!'
"Thank you," she returned and then added, "You, too." He wore a dark blue suit, an even darker blue shirt, and a gray tie. 'Sexy! That's how he looks! Oh, I wish this was a real date...'
AJ hadn't moved. Mac hadn't invited him inside her apartment, so he just stood in the hallway, one hand behind his back. "Are you about ready?" he asked.
"Would you like to come in for a minute?" she suggested, stepping back. AJ advanced into the room just as the telephone rang. "Excuse me, Sir. Chloe said she was going to call tonight... this is probably her." Mac grabbed the cordless handset from the coffee table. "Hello?" she answered without checking the Caller ID.
"Hi, it's me," Harm said over the line.
"What do you want, Harm?" Mac asked, annoyed, looking apologetically at AJ.
"Are you sure you don't want to have dinner?" he asked. "I could get a pizza..."
"Harm, I told you 'No' earlier. Why are you calling again?"
"Well, you did say we'd talk later. I figured if you didn't want to eat, maybe you'd want to talk," he replied, sounding slightly offended.
"I'm sorry, Harm. But when I said 'later', I meant as in another day. Not this evening," Mac explained.
"Why not this evening? What's wrong with tonight?" Harm pressed.
"There's nothing wrong with tonight, Harm. Except that I all ready have plans for tonight."
"Plans? What kind of plans?" he asked, being nosey.
Mac didn't want to say she had a date. What if that's not really what AJ considered this? What if he only asked her because she didn't get to have steak on Friday night? That was, after all, the reason he gave for asking her. "Another farewell dinner, Harm," she finally said. "At a steakhouse this time."
AJ berated himself again for thinking that Mac would possibly be interested in him. 'She doesn't consider this a date, you old fool! She thinks I'm only taking her out tonight because she didn't get steak on Friday night.' He laid the bouquet of flowers on the table next to him. He'd kept them well hidden; he didn't think she'd seen them yet. But it didn't matter now. Not really.
"Oh? Who's taking you to a house of carnivores?" Harm asked.
"The Admiral," Mac replied.
"Chegwidden?" Harm asked incredulously, remembering what Tiner had said... and how insistent the Admiral had been about leaving on time this afternoon. "You sure it's a farewell dinner, Mac?"
"Harm, I really have to go. The Admiral is waiting."
"Okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Mac. Have a nice evening."
Mac hung up the phone. "Sorry about that, Sir," she said, trying to smile. Then she saw the flowers on the table. "Oh! What beautiful flowers."
AJ handed Mac the bouquet. "I thought you might like them," he said softly. 'This was such a mistake. Damn, Chegwidden. You really messed this up big time! So? Deal with it! Take her to dinner and enjoy yourself.'
Mac took the flowers into the kitchen and found a vase to put them in. She filled it with water and jostled the stems until they were well seated and spaced nicely. She brought the vase back out into the living room, saying, "They're just lovely, Admiral. Thank you."
"Can't do it, hmm?" he tried to chuckle, but it came out more like a petulant sigh.
"Can't do what, Sir?" Mac asked.
"My name is AJ, Mac, as I mentioned this morning," he reminded her.
"I didn't want to appear presumptuous," she almost whispered.
"You don't work for me anymore, you know."
Mac smiled, "I know."
"And we're not in uniform," he added.
"No, we're not," she agreed.
"So... go ahead and be presumptuous," he told her. He had to try once more. He couldn't let this chance slip by. Maybe... just maybe she felt the same way.
Mac looked up at him and made a quick decision. She closed the distance between them in three steps, put her hands on his cheeks, and lifted her mouth to his.
When she released his lips, AJ growled, "Oooh, Sarah." He reached his own arms out and pulled her back to him, returning the fervent kiss.
When they parted, Mac said, "Mmm... I guess there is something good about my new job after all... isn't there?"
AJ grinned. "I was hoping you'd think so."
Mac leaned into him again. "Oh, I do... definitely."
She reached up to kiss him again, but he pulled his head back. "And you do realize, I trust, that this is not another farewell dinner?"
Mac breathed, "Mmmm, I certainly hope not!" Now she wished she'd chosen a different dress... like the black one with the non-existent back and the plunging neckline. 'Too late now.'
He captured her lips again and this time she opened her mouth. Their tongues caressed each other, and he gently nibbled on her lower lip before he released her mouth. Running his hands down her arms and capturing her hands in his, he said quietly, "Are you ready for dinner now, Sarah?"
Mac nodded, "Absolutely!" Then giggling, she added, "'Carnivores R Us', here we come!"
